Basketball is arguably one of the most popular sports around the world. At DVHS, the mens basketball team is a highly successful program that encompasses this popularity. As the basketball season progresses, varsity players look up to the Warriors for guidance and hope, as players like Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler continually leave impacts on the community.
Junior Rylan Sevilla, one of the starting point guards on the DVHS varsity basketball team, has been a Warriors fan for most of his life. His whole family has been Warriors fans since he was born, and because of his proximity to the Bay Area, it was an easy decision to support this team. One of his biggest inspirations leading him through his high school career has been Stephen Curry.
“His journey wasn’t always easy. He’s always been overlooked,” Sevilla acknowledged. “People didn’t think he was going to be good, but he never really cared about what other people thought of him, and that’s the reason why he’s successful to this day.”
For Sevilla, his family has had a large history of basketball in their lives. All three of Sevilla’s brothers played basketball in high school and in college, which led to especially high expectations by Sevilla himself. Having role models to look up to is important for achieving success through his game.
“Just watching how Stephen Curry’s journey has transpired, how he grew up, how he matured – everything he does is with such a purpose,” Sevilla said. “It inspired me to be the best version of myself.”
A rigorous training program such as DVHS mens basketball, requires coaches and mentors that are determined to mold successful players on and off the court. Sevilla gained considerable knowledge from the Warriors team themselves, translating their own methods to his game as well. Their successes on and off the court inspire Sevilla to keep striving for wins.
One of the Warrior’s biggest factors to success is the support from the community, which is evident from most of their won games being on the home court. On the opposite side, the Bay Area is also affected by having a basketball team like the Warriors helping to bring people together.
“Warriors fans all have that same thing in common. We all agree on and have the same love for the same team,” Sevilla said. “Outside of anything else, sports isn’t something that is super political. So it’s just something that could bring everyone together without any outside problems.
Not only do DVHS basketball players look up to the Warriors for direction in specific athletic endeavors, but DVHS students with different interests look up to them as well. Junior Alina Chen has been a Warriors fan since she was five years old when her mom would frequently take her to the games.
Initially Chen went to most games for fun, but a prominent player encouraged her to learn more about the sport itself, and become a more hardcore fan.
“First I started going to games just for fun, but when I realized that Stephen Curry was really good, I began watching his highlight reels,” Chen acknowledged. “I would watch highlight reels of everyone and their past playoff videos, and that’s how I became a fan at 12 or 13.”
At this age, Chen became part of the esteemed “Dub Nation,” the name of the fanbase for the Warriors. The nickname originated in the 1990s when fans shortened the team’s name to the “W’s” and then to “Dubs.” Although she’s still learning the different rules of the game, Chen takes pride in being able to be a part of this fanbase.
“There’s a lot of talk about Dub Nation being one of the most hype fan bases. When I’m at games, it’s so fun and engaging to see everyone rooting for their favorite player and being so supportive,” Chen said. “I just feel like, ‘Wow that’s my team.’”
Although Chen doesn’t play basketball, she acknowledged being inspired by the team and their work ethic overall. With hardships of losing players like Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant, the Warriors still managed to find light in dark times.
“The Warriors inspire me to work hard and not give up,” Chen said. “They persevere no matter what.”
